IL-1 receptor based cytokine traps and method of using

Abstract

The present invention provides a fusion polypeptide capable of binding interleukin-1 (O:-1) to form a nonfunctional complex. It also provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion polypeptide and methods of using the fusion polypeptide.

1. A recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion polypeptide which forms a multimer capable of binding interleukin-1 (IL-1) to form a nonfunctional complex, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51. 
     
     
       2. The nucleic acid of  claim 1  encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52. 
     
     
       3. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       4. A host-vector system for the production of a fusion polypeptide, comprising the vector of  claim 3  in a suitable host cell. 
     
     
       5. A method of producing a fusion polypeptide, comprising growing cells of the host-vector system of  claim 4 , under conditions permitting production of the fusion polypeptide and recovering the fusion polypeptide so produced. 
     
     
       6. A recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion polypeptide which forms a multimer capable of binding interleukin-1 (IL-1) to form a nonfunctional complex, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
       7. The nucleic acid of  claim 6  encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54. 
     
     
       8. A recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion polypeptide which forms a multimer capable of binding interleukin-1 (IL-1) to form a nonfunctional complex, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55. 
     
     
       9. The nucleic acid of  claim 8  encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56. 
     
     
       10. A fusion polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52. 
     
     
       11. A composition comprising a multimer of the fusion polypeptide of  claim 10 . 
     
     
       12. The composition of  claim 11  wherein the multimer is a dimer. 
     
     
       13. A method of treating arthritis, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of  claim 12 .